22 la louisiane | spring 2010 - University of Louisiana at Lafayette

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Dr. Barbara Benson, assistant professor of environmental science, and chemical engineering graduate student harry Daultani inoculate a bioreactor tank with algae. litter into a methane-rich biogas, which is then used to generate electricity. Solids and liquids left over from the process can be used as fertilizer. “To see a project like that move from idea to reality is extremely rewarding. But what’s more exciting is that it shows the potential for biofuels research in general,” he said. ZAPPI SAID UL LAfAyETTE RESEARCHERS ARE “REthinking and rebuilding” Louisiana’s energy industry. “Louisiana is well-positioned to make an economic and industrial transition to biofuels. We have the infrastructure and industry already in place, along with research capabilities.” UL Lafayette is a member of the statewide Clean Power and Energy Research Consortium, which includes Tulane University, Louisiana State University, Nicholls State University, Southern University, the University of New Orleans and the LSU AgCenter. The consortium supports interdisciplinary research to improve existing energy technology and to explore alternative energy sources. “Petroleum is a finite resource,” Zappi said. “Expert opinions differ as to when petroleum supplies will be depleted but I think the economics of petroleum will play out before the world actually runs out of petroleum. There will be an economic shift toward renewable fuels. We’re preparing for that shift by conducting a broad range of research.” He points to a number of indicators that suggest that shift may already have started. for instance, the Obama administration’s economic stimulus bill, signed into law in february, has earmarked billions of dollars for grants, tax credits and investments in clean energy development and training. And, noted Zappi, “oil and gas companies are redefining themselves as energy companies.” Last year, Exxon Mobil announced it would invest $600 million to produce fuel from algae. Chevron and Weyerhaeuser have a partnership to develop biofuels from wood waste. Non-toxic and components of a successful Biofuel industry Renewable Feedstocks long-term availability Chemical stability Suitable land Resource Collection harvesting Storage and handling transportation Product Conversion processing and waste management potential to create secondary products profit analysis Product Distribution/Usage Market development price product performance biodegradable, biofuels can be made from any biomass, or biological source. Two of the most promising options are LA LOUISIANE | SPRING 2010 25
Judith adewusi, a chemical engineering graduate student, compares the amount of oil produced by yeast grown on rice versus yeast grown on sweet potatoes. ethanol and biodiesel. Consumers are likely familiar with ethanol, which is often blended into gasoline at the pump. Ethanol is an alcohol, but it is also a hydrocarbon, which sweet Potatoes makes it compatible with gasoline. Ethanol can be made from three types of feedstock: sugars, starches and cellulosic, or plant, material. Brazil, the world’s largest exporter of ethanol, produces the fuel from sugar cane. In the United States, corn has been the staple ingredient in ethanol. Unlike sugar cane, corn requires an additional process- 26 LA LOUISIANE | SPRING 2010 ‘there wIll Be an eConoMIC ShIft towarD renewaBle fuelS. we’re preparIng for that ShIft By ConDuCtIng a BroaD range of reSearCh.’ Dr. Mark ZappI, Dean of the College of engIneerIng ing step of fermentation – to convert the cornstarch into sugar – before it can become fuel. “There’s at least one other drawback, Zappi said. “Using corn as a feedstock has really spurred the foodversus-fuel debate.” Louisiana moved away from cornbased ethanol in 2008 with the creation of the Advanced Biofuel Industry Initiative, signed into law by Gov. Bobby Jindal. The legislation created a pilot program that combines research, production and distribution of non-corn based ethanol. Zappi said the UL Lafayette team is exploring sources such as cultivated plant materials and waste materials that don’t compete with food supply. Plants can be cost-efficient to grow and harvest for biomass feedstock and can provide a desirable feedstock-to-fuel ratio. UL Lafayette researchers are also exploring the use of low-grade rice and waste sweet potatoes to produce ethanol. RiCe Biodiesel is made from plant or animal oils through a chemical process called transesterification, which transforms fats into fuel. Green diesel, or renewable diesel, is made through catalytic processing of the oils produced from biomass, a process that’s similar to the traditional refining process for petroleum crude oils. Dr. Stephen Dufreche, an assistant professor of chemical engineering at UL Lafayette, said biodiesel is relatively simple to make. “With the right equipment and materials, you could make it at home,” he said. In the engineering lab, researchers use a portable reactor to produce biodiesel. That fuel could go into a standard diesel engine, but might cause some problems, said Dufreche. The fats congeal in cold temperatures, changing the liquid fuel to a gel. And because biodiesel is a solvent, it will break down deposits of residue left by diesel, clogging fuel lines. Green diesel is chemically similar to traditional Continued on page 28
Page 1 and 2: 22 LA LOUISIANE | SPRING 2010
Page 3: Biofuels Glossary biofuel: fuel mad
Page 7 and 8: Feedstock Rice hulls Sugar cane bag
Page 9 and 10: Chemical engineering student Bridge
Page 11 and 12: above: Bryant Meyer, a senior study

22 la louisiane | spring 2010 - University of Louisiana at Lafayette

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